Manila: The Philippines on Sunday remembered the late Corazon "Cory" Aquino, who led the nation in crushing a brutal dictatorship and whose death exactly a year ago propelled her son to the presidency.
President Benigno Aquino led family and friends in a special mass that celebrated the heroism of his mother, who in her trademark yellow dress led the "people power" uprising to end the 20-year regime of Ferdinand Marcos in 1986.
"It's really comforting for the family to see the continuous outpouring of support," said Rapa Lopa, a nephew who organised the event.
Huge television monitors were set up around the gymnasium in Manila, bringing back poignant memories when tens of thousands of people gathered to pay their respects when she succumbed to colon cancer at age 76 last year.
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Ordinary Filipinos meanwhile trooped to a cemetery in the capital where Aquino was buried beside her husband, Benigno "Ninoy" Aquino, the anti-Marcos namesake of the current president.
"We have felt the impact of her death. The entire nation united to vote for President Noynoy Aquino," said current Vice President Jejomar Binay, a longtime supporter of Corazon Aquino who was popularly known by her nickname, Cory.
Interior Secretary Jesse Robredo, another follower of the late president, said her trademark characteristics of honesty and simplicity were guiding the new administration in its infancy.
"She is a large part of our history, not just for what she did for us but for where she is leading us. Her example and legacy are what we are continuing today," Robredo said.
Cory Aquino had no political ambitions and was happy just to play housewife for Senator Benigno "Ninoy" Aquino - father and namesake of the new president.
But when then-president Ferdinand Marcos declared martial law in 1972, he cracked down on all opposition figures including Ninoy Aquino. This culminated in Ninoy Aquino's assassination by Marcos troops in 1983.
In the wake of the killing, the fragmented opposition finally united behind the widow of the martyred Ninoy and she reluctantly agreed to lead them.
She ran for president against Marcos in the 1986 elections, campaigning to end his one-man rule and the widespread corruption of his regime.
Rampant election cheating by Marcos forces triggered a popular revolt that toppled him from power and installed the housewife as president.
During her six years in office, Aquino restored democracy and earned a reputation for personal honesty and modesty.
"There is genuine affection by the people for her. Among all the past presidents... Cory is best remembered. She was a housewife who had the courage to stand up to Marcos," said business leader Alberto Fenix.
